Dubai: The sudden death of the owner of Al Ijaza Cafe, a popular Jumeirah eatery, has left its loyal customers in a state of shock.
A.K. Assainar, 65, died of a heart attack on Thursday and his body has been repatriated to his home state Kerala in India.
Popular for its sandwiches and a variety of juices, Al Ijaza Cafe is one of Jumeirah’s oldest and favourite eating joints, where food lovers make a beeline for a quick bite.
Set up by Assainar around 25 years ago, the little eatery has grown in popularity over the years, more so after it was featured in a Dubai-made film City of Lights.
Speaking to Gulf News , Jamnaz, an employee at the cafe, expressed his grief on the sudden demise of the owner.
“We are all really shocked and grief-stricken. It has been four days now and I still can’t believe he is no more. I don’t know what to say. He was a good man and looked after everyone around him,” said Jamanas.
Assainar’s death came as a shock to some of the cafe’s loyal customers.
“Al Ijaza Cafe is like a part of our life. It is part of our daily routine. There is hardly any day when I don’t eat or drink at the café. It is really sad that now we won’t get to see the old man’s smiling face any more,” said Ahmad Mattar, a resident of Jumeirah, who has been eating at Al Ijaza for more than 12 years.
Assainar is survived by his wife and four children
